Sunday, June 7, 2009

WEST STEEL - Pages TB 26-27 Lyon County KY Lunatic Inquest Book

This day J S Hodges Attorney for the Commonwealth filed an information as follows, to-wit: To T P Gray Judge of the Lyon Co Court: I am reliably informed that West Steel is a person of unsound mind and a lunatic (Lunatic or Idiot) and therefore ask that a Jury be impaneled to pass upon the subject.

J S Hodges Attorney Lyon Court

Ordered by the Court, That E H James Esq an Attorney of this Court be and he is hereby appointed to defend for and on behalf of the person under trial.

To inquire, etc., comes a Jury, to-wit: F G Murray, W C Payne, Joe Smith, C J Gresham, L W Duncan, Joe Truman, Shelly Saterfield, Cook Mayhugh, Dave Carroll, F M Maddox, B B Vick and John BridgesWho being duly impaneled and sworn according to law, after hearing the evidence returned the following verdict, viz: We of the jury find from the evidence that West Steel is a person of unsound mind and a lunaticThat the unsoundness of mind has existed since _____: that _he was born in Sent to prison from Hardin Co Ky (State or Country) and resides in _____ County and is _____ years of age; that _he was not brought into this State for the purpose of becoming a charge upon the Commonwealth; that _he owns _____ no estate of any kind; that _____ father is Do Not know anything of them… and ha_ not estate _____ sufficient to support the person under trial; and said _____ is not capable of laboring either in whole or in part for _____ support.

(Additional facts as per instructions of presiding judge.)

C J Gresham Foreman

27

Brief History of Case by the Presiding Judge:

Age? _____ Color? White Sex: Male Married, single or Widowed? _____Occupation? _____ Occupation of Husband? _____ Habits? BadExtent of Education ? limited Number and date of previous attacks? One per weekWhat relatives, if any, have been insane, peculiar or intemperate? Brother & sisterDuration of present attack: _____ How exhibited and has it changed in character? EpilepticSupposed cause? Hurt when a boy. Any delusions or hallucinations, and if so, what? He thinks someone is going to hurt him. Subject to fits? yes, if so, how long and from what cause: _____Natural temper and disposition toward relatives: bad. Any threat, attempt of tendency to injure self or others? yes Violent? yes Destructive? yes Cleanly? no Periodic frenzy and lucid intervals and duration of each: at intervals. What restraints have been imposed and what treatment used: confined in cell. No treatment. Any injury about the head ever received? Yes. Any bodily disease from suppression of evacuations, eruptions, sores or injuries? no What estate have the parents, husband or wife of the person under trial? no“Together with whatever else may be deemed material toward enabling the superintendent of the asylum to understand the case.”Has been in the Insane Asylum at Lakland Ky. Stayed there 9 years.

Wherefore it is adjudged by the Court that said West Steel is a person of unsound mind and a lunatic (Lunatic or dangerous Idiot); it is ordered that _he be committed to the asylum for the insane at Hopkinsville Ky., and that the superintendent of said asylum be immediately notified and directed to send for said lunatic. If he regains his right mind is to be sent back to Eddyville Prison.